On looking back I’ve realised its over a year since I last posted an entry and frankly I’m appalled at my lack of effort so I’ve made a very early New Year’s Resolution to try harder!

As an aside, I see that my last post – Foo Fighters – mentions not only having missed out on seeing them but also my non-entry into the London to Brighton off-road ride. And ironically I actually saw the Foos at their recent O2 gig in the week before I once again missed out on the ride. So there are two things to take away here:

I do have, I believe, a reasonable excuse for not attempting the 75mile challenge this year because I’ve had a large amount of work done on my house and that meant that my bike went into storage from November right through till April. By the time I got back on the saddle fitness levels were suffering so and with the constraints of a job I was never going to be confident of getting back to the condition I would want to attempt the ride.

In fact the summer hasn’t helped either: wet weather is never that encouraging for getting out on the trail, especially if you know its going to hurt!

But, right at the death of the summer, I’ve got back on it and its amazing the boost you get from a good dose of endorphins. Last week I did a new ride around Godalming in Surrey – a lovely part of the world and quite a challenging ride. Only 19-odd miles but lots of climbs, terrain ranging from road, rocks, sandy soil and muddy farm tracks. And all in an area with incredibly expensive real estate.

Check out some photos:

One place I have to share on its own is Cutt Mill Pond:

A fabulous place: I scared up about 4 herons it was so quiet and looks as beautiful as any view in the Lake District imho…. But wait, its got a back story. Look away now those of delicate sensibilities…

This is the scene of unsolved murders from 1932 as explained here by Get Surrey a quite incredible true crime mystery!

So there you go – my first challenging ride in quite a while and it was a good one – if not on the legs due to the amount of stinging nettles that left my legs tingling till the next day. At least I can be sure I’m not allergic….

And finally to the tune: the endorphins, the country air, wind in the face. Yes I was feeling good and so is this tune. Enjoy!

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2017/10/04/muse/feed/0theunexpectedcyclist20170927_110956Foo Fightershttps://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/09/30/foo-fighters/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/09/30/foo-fighters/#commentsFri, 30 Sep 2016 16:32:18 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=358Oh the irony: yes its over a year since Dave broke his leg and my one chance of seeing the Foos disappeared in front of my eyes and about 100million people on Youtube, but some things don’t get any less painful…

Speaking of painful, the shoulder operation has been an apparent success: I seem to have more movement with less pain so hopefully its going in the right direction. But I can tell you its not been a bowl of cherries – the immediate aftermath was pretty uncomfortable and lots of painkillers didn’t make a massive difference. The procedure is called Sub-Acromial Decompression which I’ve heard is referred to as SAD – and I can personally confirm this is an appropriate acronym!

But that’s all behind me now, with the exception of regular visits to the sadist that is the physio. Apparently what he does to me is all for my own good – I’m yet to be convinced.

He did, however, say I could get back on the bike and for the last couple of weeks I’ve eased myself back into the saddle – yippee!! I can’t tell you how much I’d missed it. Certainly my waistline has too so that’s another reason for getting back to laying down the miles and burning the calories. You know it makes sense!

And it all coincided with the annual London to Brighton off-road event coming past my front door. I had hoped to participate this year and actually raise funds but obviously the surgery had put paid to that. But now I have another goal – to take part, finish and to raise some money for the British Hear Foundation who organise the whole thing.

I’ve got a whole year ahead of me to train and get ready and possibly tempt you all to donate a little towards my efforts. I promise I wont be overbearing about it!

And that leads me to this post’s tune: its all about Next Year!

Happy cycling (or whatever you’re doing!)

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/09/30/foo-fighters/feed/1theunexpectedcyclistCuriosity Killed The Cathttps://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/04/21/curiosity-killed-the-cat/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/04/21/curiosity-killed-the-cat/#commentsThu, 21 Apr 2016 19:28:14 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=325It’s been a while since my last post (I’ll get to that shortly) but that doesn’t mean I haven’t been out and about on the bike. I’ve also spent time looking at/following some other blogs and had some follows in return – so welcome to all those folks: I hope you like what you find here!

That’s the good news.

The bad news is that I’ve had to give up on my intended participation in this years London to Brighton Off-Road event. After making it the full distance last year I was really looking forward to doing it and raising lots of cash for the British Heart Foundation

The reason is that I’ve got to have surgery on my shoulder that I landed on when I went over the handlebars of my bike. Yes, it was my embarrassing accident when I’d just bought the bike and made it all of 50yds before taking a spill…. After 18mths, X-rays, MRI scan and a steroid injection, they’ve told me that there is nothing else for it.

Subacromial impingement they call it: googling it mentions rotator cuffs and all sorts of things that I’ve only ever heard referred to with NFL quarterbacks! I’m sure they wouldnt have to wait that long…

So mid-June is when its planned and apparently I’m looking at three months rehab which blows my chances of training for the ride. I’m just keeping everything crossed that I can go out for some gentle rides over the summer or I’m going to a) feel cooped up and b) probably suffer an expanding waistline.

Neither is a great prospect eh?

So for now I’m enjoying the riding I can do and hoping to try some new routes over the next few weeks and then will have to keep my fingers crossed that I’m a quick healer!

And, if you’re of a mind, don’t let my non-participation stop you from making a donation – the BHF are a very worthy cause.

Now to the music – I was thinking of Chumbawamba (“I get knocked down but I get up again”) but I didn’t get knocked down as such. So Curiosity’s Down to Earth seemed more appropriate. Enjoy an 80’s belter, and Ben Volpeliere-Pierrot’s dancing! A classic!

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/04/21/curiosity-killed-the-cat/feed/3theunexpectedcyclistQueen… or The Buggles?https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/02/24/queen-or-the-buggles/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/02/24/queen-or-the-buggles/#respondWed, 24 Feb 2016 19:51:43 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=275A picture paints a thousand words, right? So after a year or so of writing all these lovely words (in my humble opinion of course) I saw some videos on line of people filming their exploits: bungee jumping; surfing; and cycling. Some of them were run of the mill, some of them pretty damn awesome.

And that reminded me of when I’ve been out on the bike and seen something that simply can’t be explained in a way that anyone listening will fully appreciate.

For example, last year I was in Richmond Park when I came across 3 deer blocking the path. I got to within 2 metres of the beasts with their massive (and scary!) antlers. They let me get that close! The deer then wandered off and I was free to carry on but I’d never normally try to get so close to them.

The trouble is that those words don’t convey just how amazing that experience was.

So, after seeing other people’s films and getting some money for Christmas, I decided to lash it all on a Gopro and use it to record my rides and maybe more. Now I’m not expecting to get a “You’ve Been Framed” moment on each and every ride – although getting just one, along with the £250 would be most welcome – but you never know what I might capture on film.

And if I get run over by a car it might be helpful to prove my undoubted innocence!

Last week, after spending much time trying to work out the instructions, I finally got out on the bike with the Gopro attached but realised that a 90minute ride isnt exactly the most riveting viewing. So I “edited”the footage into something slightly more interesting and I hope you find it a bit entertaining!

And you may notice I’ve set up a YouTube channel – please subscribe to keep up to date with anything I might upload!

And now for the music! Two songs came to mind so I thought I’d give you both! Enjoy.

Up till the last week or so we’ve been spoilt so far this winter in the UK, as its been quite mild weather compared to the average year. Unfortunately for some people this has brought lots of rain and flooding as I mentioned in my last post. Having had that happen two years ago in the area that I live I can certainly sympathise.

This weather has, as I said before, discouraged me from hitting the trails due to the mud and associated clean up that would be needed.

Now finally we’ve had a dry spell and tomorrow I’m hoping that I can finally get back out! Yippeeee!

Hang on a second though. Dry weather in winter = cold. And if you’re on a bike that means pretty damn cold. I’ve seen other guys out and about in the past couple of days and some of them look like they may as well be wearing a sleeping bag!

Needless to say, if it’s that cold then don’t expect me to be joining their ranks. That’s just too much commitment for me. I admire their spirit but I like central heating too much.

In preparation I’ve got a bit of a checklist prepared: winter gloves; lip salve; Buff snood (also very useful if you want to look like a pirate!!); and even tights (padded of course). I’m telling you: I’m not getting cold for no-one!

So there we are, I’m ready and set. All I need now is the opportunity and I’ll be off for my first ride of 2016. I’m feeling guilty that its been so long but can’t wait to burn some calories. My waistline needs to reduce. My heart, lungs and legs need a workout. And I need some endorphins. All in all its a no-brainer.

I can imagine that, just like a lot of other bloggers, I’m making something of the fact that it’s a new year and therefore its time to get back to the website. If that’s the case then I apologise for not being particularly original. But hey, at least I’m bringing you some good tunes to go with my thoughts!

And that links to my excuse for not having been particularly active over the last few months.

As my About page details, my blog is mainly about my cycling exploits (except for when I want a rant or two…!) and, frankly, since the last post there has been precious little cycling going on. I do have excuses: illness; work; pesky shorter days. All of those have played their part in the lack of miles recorded on my sat nav. In fact I seem to have stopped receiving automated reminders so I think even the app has given up on me!!

But one of the big factors has been the weather. I’m happy to own up as a fair-weather cyclist for a number of reasons. Whilst its actually quite good fun getting muddy I can assure you that it is no fun when you get home. Especially for the person who does the washing… (not me I’m afraid!).

Then there is cleaning of the bike itself.

None of which gives the greatest of incentives for getting out on two wheels. But with the excesses of Christmas behind me I reckon I’m going to have to bite that bullet to get the lungs working and the waistline reducing!

So wish me luck please – I’ll need the encouragement!

Now to the music – one of my favourite singer/songwriters here and, quite appropriately, his recent single regarding the aftermath of the 2014 floods which happened right around where I live. Enjoy!

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2016/01/04/frank-turner/feed/2theunexpectedcyclistIMG-20151126-WA0000Elvis Costellohttps://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/10/14/elvis-costello/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/10/14/elvis-costello/#commentsWed, 14 Oct 2015 18:09:46 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=198Just over two weeks on and I’m recovered, back on the bike and now in training for another event. Only 27 miles this time – childs play!!

If you fancy it, Evans Cycles RideIt! events are well worth having a go – they are well organised, good fun and give you 3 options to try: Short, Medium or Long/Epic. I’ve signed up for one around Basingstoke so it’ll be good to try somewhere I’ve never been before.

But now to today’s subject at hand. And its one of my pet peeves I’m afraid!

Folding bikes…. Bromptons…. Just wtf are they all about? I’m sorry, but they simply are not bikes. I can understand they have a use for commuters and, in doing so give us some good comedy value:

However, during my recent training runs I came across more and more people riding them off-road and, on occasion, attempting quite severe off-track climbs that you’d struggle to walk up!! Not only that but everyone riding them seemed to have some sort of fixed glazed smiling expression usually seen on the faces of hare krishna followers!

Is there some sort of endorphin-based high that you get when you have to pedal far too much because your ride has ridiculously small wheels?

But the final straw came during the Prudential Ride 100 when I saw this:

Grrrrrrrrrrrr……

Why does this all annoy me? I frankly have no idea! We all have our pet peeves, me maybe more than most. But I can safely say that you can include these “bikes” in my list!

Anyway, rant now over. I’ve gone public. Time for some music. Its a bit of a laboured connection but Brompton is next Chelsea – and I dont want to go to either…!

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/10/14/elvis-costello/feed/2theunexpectedcyclistLou Reedhttps://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/10/05/lou-reed/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/10/05/lou-reed/#respondMon, 05 Oct 2015 18:14:13 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=172I’m sure you’ve all been very concerned as I haven’t piped up since the big day of the ride. But fret no more – I made it and I survived!

Wow, what a day! It started early with a 5.30 alarm clock setting and then a trip to the start line to find that I was very far from the first….

Waiting to start – not nervous at all…!

It was pretty cold, especially that first mile or two before the legs got warmed up but there was company, a clear and quiet Richmond Park and Thames path and we cycled into the sun so you could feel the day warming up.

Pretty soon we were out into rural Surrey – and who knew there was an old airfield at Wisley? These are exactly the sort of things you find when you get off-road.

By this time I was already passing breakdowns and punctures so my fingers were firmly crossed.

Crossing fields, woodland paths with the sun coming through the trees, some hairy descents and some stiff climbs. We had them all as proven below:

Across the North Downs

Through the woods!

It’s steeper than it looks, honest….

As proven by my expression…

Now remember, the ride length was 75miles – not something to be underestimated. My level of mathematical genius allowed me to work out that an average of 10mph would mean a 7.5hr ride. But the climbs en route were something I’d never experienced before so would I be able to keep that pace? Or was I being over-ambitious?

Then I heard about Tourettes Hill…. The last hill before the finish is apparently nicknamed as such because it so damn steep. “It can’t be that bad” I thought. And my first words that I uttered when I saw it? “You’re f*@king joking…” which at least made two blokes having a rest chuckle.

And that explains the nickname Tourettes Hill…..

Then I got to the top and what a relief!

This way for a rest….

A welcome sight!

After that it was all down hill/level in to the finish and by that time I was good and ready to stop, as you can imagine. In the end I’d averaged just under 9mph so completed in around 8.5hrs (lack of precision due to my phone charge running out!) but I’m just pleased to have finished and got my medal. Here’s the proof:

Nearly there!

Where’s the chips??

I just wish I’d had the energy to stand in line for the massage because my legs were killing me the next day! Never mind, it was a great ride and I’m definitely doing it again next year.

Lots of thanks go to the British Heart Foundation and all the volunteers that manned the course that day: a bunch of stars!

All in all, a Perfect Day (well nearly….don’t get me started on the rugby)

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/10/05/lou-reed/feed/0theunexpectedcyclistWaiting to start - not nervous at all...!IMAG1225IMAG1231IMAG1232As proven by my expression...This way for a rest....A welcome sight!Nearly there!image6Europehttps://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/09/16/europe/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/09/16/europe/#respondWed, 16 Sep 2015 18:10:13 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=170Well its the most predictable of connections I suppose, but I’ve only got ten days left until the big day. Training is all but done, I’ve researched and got myself ready to carb-load ahead of the ride.

As I’ve mentioned in my previous post (see Journey) its going to be a stern test and I’m not ashamed to admit I’m pretty much cacking myself! I’m aiming for success but preparing for defeat and will at least have the benefit of my support team (aka the missus…!) to greet me in Hove or wherever I may end up on the day.

So keep your fingers crossed for me, both for good weather and good luck, and wherever you are on 26th September, take a moment to think that myself and hundreds of other poor fools will be somewhere between London and Brighton in the woods getting knackered but all for a good cause!

Now get the hairspray and air-guitar ready…..

]]>https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/09/16/europe/feed/0theunexpectedcyclistGloria Estefan and The Miami Sound Machinehttps://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/09/03/gloria-estefan-and-the-miami-sound-machine/
https://theunexpectedcyclist.com/2015/09/03/gloria-estefan-and-the-miami-sound-machine/#respondThu, 03 Sep 2015 18:52:20 +0000http://theunexpectedcyclist.com/?p=163Phew – its been a while hasn’t it? Damn and blast that pesky job that gets in the way…

Well I thought its about time for me to put down some of the thoughts that have been running through my mind whilst I’ve been out on the trails over the past few weeks. I thought I’d start with what I think is quite an interesting (and even controversial) one… Stay tuned for the controversy!

I’ve used various apps whilst cycling over the last few years: they can help you to know how far you’ve travelled, your time and, thereafter, how you’re improving (or not). However, I found it had one unexpected benefit in that I realised how I think I might perform. And that, my friends, is summed up in one word: cadence.

In its simplest terms it’s the speed that your legs turn the pedals and whilst this might seem easy to regulate, you’d be surprised at how the slightest of up-slope will slow your cadence or a slight downslope might find your legs going crazy mental. So the challenge is to keep your legs going at the same rate regardless of the terrain. And that’s where all those cogs at the front and back come in useful – learning how to select the gear you want takes time and practice.

The front gear gives a big jump up or down for when you need easier pedalling or when you can cope with giving it more effort. Or when you need a dramatic change in a hurry. The back gears give smaller adjustments that can finesse your efforts.

Now for the controversy…

As with any exercise there are two methods of performance: muscle-based and cardiovascular. (Any students of sports science, please forgive me if I’m using the wrong terminology!) I’ve never been one for going down the muscle-building route and find that my fitness level is probably determined more by my cardio fitness. And that ‘s where the cadence approach works for me.

But there is one other person who really demonstrated how the cardio approach worked: Lance Armstrong. (boo! hiss!)

Armstrong lost a huge amount of muscle during his cancer treatment and would never have been able to get back to a professional level (even though he wasn’t a great cyclist) but with the aid of Michele Ferrari, he embarked on using cardiovascular strength instead. Ferrari’s input was the doping that allowed his system to outperform to a far higher degree but the starting point was the fact that he relied more on one part of his body than the other.

If you’re interested, Seven Deadly Sins by David Walsh is a fascinating read and also gives you the full background to the deception that went on.

(In case the lawyers are watching, I’m basing all of the above on Walsh’s book so if I’m wrong, it’s his fault!)

But I digress. The point at the outset was to highlight that there’s more than one way to improve your performance: I’ve found mine in terms of finding the right cadence and trying to keep to that when I’m riding. It seems to work….